Quinn the Dog Trainer
@k9kaliber.com
▪️Quinlan (he/him)
▪️ Dog trainer, rehabilitator, and friend.
▪️ Chicago area + on the web
▪️ 30+ Years Dog Training Experience
▪️ Obedience + Behavioral Rehab + Service Dogs
▪️ Queer & Disabled owned indie business
▪️ Dog trainer, rehabilitator, and friend.
▪️ Chicago area + on the web
▪️ 30+ Years Dog Training Experience
▪️ Obedience + Behavioral Rehab + Service Dogs
▪️ Queer & Disabled owned indie business
Pinned
Quinn the Dog Trainer
@k9kaliber.com
· Apr 26
"Whomever shall find the answer to the question 'how shall I say this to my dog?' has won the game and can develop from his animal whatever he likes."
- Max von Stephanitz
- Max von Stephanitz
'I can't afford dog training, it's too expensive.'
Some trainers find it abhorrent that the cost of training has more than doubled in the past five years, and haven't raised our rates since 2018.
It's me, I'm some trainers. Fee schedule, anyone?
k9kaliber.com/index.php/fe...
Open. Honest. No BS.
Some trainers find it abhorrent that the cost of training has more than doubled in the past five years, and haven't raised our rates since 2018.
It's me, I'm some trainers. Fee schedule, anyone?
k9kaliber.com/index.php/fe...
Open. Honest. No BS.
2025 Fee Schedule – K9 Kaliber
k9kaliber.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
'I can't afford dog training, it's too expensive.'
Some trainers find it abhorrent that the cost of training has more than doubled in the past five years, and haven't raised our rates since 2018.
It's me, I'm some trainers. Fee schedule, anyone?
k9kaliber.com/index.php/fe...
Open. Honest. No BS.
Some trainers find it abhorrent that the cost of training has more than doubled in the past five years, and haven't raised our rates since 2018.
It's me, I'm some trainers. Fee schedule, anyone?
k9kaliber.com/index.php/fe...
Open. Honest. No BS.
Why do I hate board and train as a standalone program? Because it ruins dogs' lives. Dogs die from bad training.
Just got a referral from one of my clients for a friend of hers. Called the guy up; he sent his dog off for a two week board and train 6 weeks ago. Spent 'thousands'. It was a rip-off.
Just got a referral from one of my clients for a friend of hers. Called the guy up; he sent his dog off for a two week board and train 6 weeks ago. Spent 'thousands'. It was a rip-off.
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Why do I hate board and train as a standalone program? Because it ruins dogs' lives. Dogs die from bad training.
Just got a referral from one of my clients for a friend of hers. Called the guy up; he sent his dog off for a two week board and train 6 weeks ago. Spent 'thousands'. It was a rip-off.
Just got a referral from one of my clients for a friend of hers. Called the guy up; he sent his dog off for a two week board and train 6 weeks ago. Spent 'thousands'. It was a rip-off.
Don't. Let. Them. Make. You. Feel. Small.
Every single person who acts, makes a difference. You want a whistle? Hit me up, I can drop off a few or bulk!
Every single person who acts, makes a difference. You want a whistle? Hit me up, I can drop off a few or bulk!
At a recent gathering of Rogers Park volunteers, we heard from a neighbor who choked up telling us about their dad turning around and going home when he heard whistles up the street. "One of you may have saved his life that day." It all matters, it really does.
One thing that is tough about rapid response/patrols, besides constantly being threatened by armed secret police, is that for the most part they see the defeats. There are exceptions, but you’ll never know how many people were saved by slowing feds down, whistles, community alerts, etc.
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Don't. Let. Them. Make. You. Feel. Small.
Every single person who acts, makes a difference. You want a whistle? Hit me up, I can drop off a few or bulk!
Every single person who acts, makes a difference. You want a whistle? Hit me up, I can drop off a few or bulk!
Watched the Kneecap movie with my Irish class friends. There was a line, 'no one's anyone, until they are.'
I like that. 💜
I like that. 💜
November 22, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Watched the Kneecap movie with my Irish class friends. There was a line, 'no one's anyone, until they are.'
I like that. 💜
I like that. 💜
I furiously hate the phrase 'you gotta spend money to make money'. You gotta have money in the first place to spend it, and everyone deserves to make their dream a reality if they're willing to put work in. No industry should be pay to win and capitalism is a plague.
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I furiously hate the phrase 'you gotta spend money to make money'. You gotta have money in the first place to spend it, and everyone deserves to make their dream a reality if they're willing to put work in. No industry should be pay to win and capitalism is a plague.
Common mistake: bringing a new dog home and immediately throwing them in with the established dog(s).
Do you want a new roommate cuddling you on the couch? I see sooo many fights and struggles to get along because of rushed intros. Give them time and their own space to figure each other out, first.
Do you want a new roommate cuddling you on the couch? I see sooo many fights and struggles to get along because of rushed intros. Give them time and their own space to figure each other out, first.
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Common mistake: bringing a new dog home and immediately throwing them in with the established dog(s).
Do you want a new roommate cuddling you on the couch? I see sooo many fights and struggles to get along because of rushed intros. Give them time and their own space to figure each other out, first.
Do you want a new roommate cuddling you on the couch? I see sooo many fights and struggles to get along because of rushed intros. Give them time and their own space to figure each other out, first.
Maidin mhaith, good morning, from Misneach and her turnip!
Suburbanites and city dwellers who feel like being in the burbs today: come by Peppo's Pets in Hoffman Estates between 3-6, and bring me some dog behavior questions. See you there! 💜
Suburbanites and city dwellers who feel like being in the burbs today: come by Peppo's Pets in Hoffman Estates between 3-6, and bring me some dog behavior questions. See you there! 💜
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Maidin mhaith, good morning, from Misneach and her turnip!
Suburbanites and city dwellers who feel like being in the burbs today: come by Peppo's Pets in Hoffman Estates between 3-6, and bring me some dog behavior questions. See you there! 💜
Suburbanites and city dwellers who feel like being in the burbs today: come by Peppo's Pets in Hoffman Estates between 3-6, and bring me some dog behavior questions. See you there! 💜
People often tell me they held back on giving out my info because they didn't know if I'd take the job, so I made everyone a handy flow chart so you can determine if I will or won't take that job ;)
November 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
People often tell me they held back on giving out my info because they didn't know if I'd take the job, so I made everyone a handy flow chart so you can determine if I will or won't take that job ;)
Feel this in my soul. Trying to be visible when you're up against corpos with massive marketing budgets is the most soul-crushing, frustrating, horrible feeling, and double that when you were raised to 'be humble' and never speak highly of your own work or yourself.
Go read some books, people <3
Go read some books, people <3
Self promo is my bane; it makes me feel like an immense tit when I post stuff about my writing (thanks to upbringing - never blow your own horn), but it is increasingly apparent that all it means is that I'm utterly invisible as a writer...
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Feel this in my soul. Trying to be visible when you're up against corpos with massive marketing budgets is the most soul-crushing, frustrating, horrible feeling, and double that when you were raised to 'be humble' and never speak highly of your own work or yourself.
Go read some books, people <3
Go read some books, people <3
Another day, another piece of bad dog training advice given to a client. Today's myth: Correction makes dogs fearful. Read on, my friends!
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Correction Misconception: – K9 Kaliber
k9kaliber.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Another day, another piece of bad dog training advice given to a client. Today's myth: Correction makes dogs fearful. Read on, my friends!
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Life goal achieved: bake cinnamon rolls without having to fish the instructions out of the recycling bin.
It's gonna be a good day. I can feel it 🦾
It's gonna be a good day. I can feel it 🦾
November 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Life goal achieved: bake cinnamon rolls without having to fish the instructions out of the recycling bin.
It's gonna be a good day. I can feel it 🦾
It's gonna be a good day. I can feel it 🦾
It's always such a treat when Rivet gets to make a new friend. She and Sirius have been playing through kennels and fences for a while, and it felt like time to let them play face to face. Huge win for them both, to have a friend who can match their energy and play style!
November 16, 2025 at 7:07 PM
It's always such a treat when Rivet gets to make a new friend. She and Sirius have been playing through kennels and fences for a while, and it felt like time to let them play face to face. Huge win for them both, to have a friend who can match their energy and play style!
I harp on referrals a ton, and for obvious reason. But the reality is so much deeper than I can really go on social media, so I wrote a little post about it.
Why am I pushy about referrals?
Because they're what feeds my family.
Because I will drown without them.
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Why am I pushy about referrals?
Because they're what feeds my family.
Because I will drown without them.
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Because I Drown Without Them: – K9 Kaliber
k9kaliber.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I harp on referrals a ton, and for obvious reason. But the reality is so much deeper than I can really go on social media, so I wrote a little post about it.
Why am I pushy about referrals?
Because they're what feeds my family.
Because I will drown without them.
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Why am I pushy about referrals?
Because they're what feeds my family.
Because I will drown without them.
k9kaliber.com/index.php/20...
Hot off the printer and assembled, a little gift for the shop that's supported me the most over the past year. Independent walkers, shops, sitters, groomers, etc., know that I see you, love you, and support you! 💜
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Hot off the printer and assembled, a little gift for the shop that's supported me the most over the past year. Independent walkers, shops, sitters, groomers, etc., know that I see you, love you, and support you! 💜
Open my Tidal recommended tracks, twitch a little because my dog trainer soul had a visceral reaction, go back to Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine'.
November 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Open my Tidal recommended tracks, twitch a little because my dog trainer soul had a visceral reaction, go back to Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine'.
The universe is testing me today. Had a business owner try to 'negotiate' with me over using accessible parking as storage for his cars (absolutely not), got told my service dog can't go in stores without a vest (absolutely not)... My patience is so, so thin with ableists. Dog grant me strength-
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 AM
The universe is testing me today. Had a business owner try to 'negotiate' with me over using accessible parking as storage for his cars (absolutely not), got told my service dog can't go in stores without a vest (absolutely not)... My patience is so, so thin with ableists. Dog grant me strength-
Live too far, or on a tight budget? Can't find a good trainer near you?
Psst... I do video lessons, too!
$55 an hour, one-on-one. No hidden anything, no shenanigans. Just good quality dog training 🐾
Psst... I do video lessons, too!
$55 an hour, one-on-one. No hidden anything, no shenanigans. Just good quality dog training 🐾
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Live too far, or on a tight budget? Can't find a good trainer near you?
Psst... I do video lessons, too!
$55 an hour, one-on-one. No hidden anything, no shenanigans. Just good quality dog training 🐾
Psst... I do video lessons, too!
$55 an hour, one-on-one. No hidden anything, no shenanigans. Just good quality dog training 🐾
Genuinely love opening my messages and just seeing a row of awesome dogs, lol. My students are all photogenic, it's just a fact.
November 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Genuinely love opening my messages and just seeing a row of awesome dogs, lol. My students are all photogenic, it's just a fact.
Another snowbird, taking flight! Peaches and I have had so much fun these past few weeks, and now it's time for her family to head to Arizona for the winter. They have a lot of new skills to practice, and we've all promised to keep in touch until we see each other again in spring.
Safe travels!
Safe travels!
November 12, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Another snowbird, taking flight! Peaches and I have had so much fun these past few weeks, and now it's time for her family to head to Arizona for the winter. They have a lot of new skills to practice, and we've all promised to keep in touch until we see each other again in spring.
Safe travels!
Safe travels!
SCENE: Person came by my table and saw the 3D printed shepherd dogs.
Visitor: Do you have a German Shepherd, too?
Me: Close, I have a Malinois cross!
Visitor: OH. So a German Shepherd on cocaine.
Me: Lol, yep, that's the one!
Visitor: Do you have a German Shepherd, too?
Me: Close, I have a Malinois cross!
Visitor: OH. So a German Shepherd on cocaine.
Me: Lol, yep, that's the one!
November 8, 2025 at 2:25 AM
SCENE: Person came by my table and saw the 3D printed shepherd dogs.
Visitor: Do you have a German Shepherd, too?
Me: Close, I have a Malinois cross!
Visitor: OH. So a German Shepherd on cocaine.
Me: Lol, yep, that's the one!
Visitor: Do you have a German Shepherd, too?
Me: Close, I have a Malinois cross!
Visitor: OH. So a German Shepherd on cocaine.
Me: Lol, yep, that's the one!
Oi, Hoffman Estates! We're at Peppo's Pets til 6, so bring us your weird dog questions. Or your normal ones, but the weird ones make me work and much like my dogs, I thrive when I'm kept busy!
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Oi, Hoffman Estates! We're at Peppo's Pets til 6, so bring us your weird dog questions. Or your normal ones, but the weird ones make me work and much like my dogs, I thrive when I'm kept busy!
New Blog Post!
Meet Them Where They're At: Slow and Steady Wins The Training.
Meet Them Where They're At: Slow and Steady Wins The Training.
Meet Them Where They’re At: – K9 Kaliber
k9kaliber.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
New Blog Post!
Meet Them Where They're At: Slow and Steady Wins The Training.
Meet Them Where They're At: Slow and Steady Wins The Training.
We're getting into the slow season, so here's a reminder: REFERRALS ARE CRITICAL!
Training is my full-time job. It pays my bills, feeds my family. Without referrals, the financial pinch hits hard and fast, especially this time of year when the bills get higher and the business gets slower.
Training is my full-time job. It pays my bills, feeds my family. Without referrals, the financial pinch hits hard and fast, especially this time of year when the bills get higher and the business gets slower.
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 AM
We're getting into the slow season, so here's a reminder: REFERRALS ARE CRITICAL!
Training is my full-time job. It pays my bills, feeds my family. Without referrals, the financial pinch hits hard and fast, especially this time of year when the bills get higher and the business gets slower.
Training is my full-time job. It pays my bills, feeds my family. Without referrals, the financial pinch hits hard and fast, especially this time of year when the bills get higher and the business gets slower.
Not me rushing to pack goodie bags with a 3D printed wiggle dog and a few pieces of candy because I have an event in an hour and twelve minutes and did the fatal 'no, I'll have time tomorrow, it's cool' last night.
Anyway, Highland Park, looking forward to seeing you at the Ravinia Candy Stroll!
Anyway, Highland Park, looking forward to seeing you at the Ravinia Candy Stroll!
October 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Not me rushing to pack goodie bags with a 3D printed wiggle dog and a few pieces of candy because I have an event in an hour and twelve minutes and did the fatal 'no, I'll have time tomorrow, it's cool' last night.
Anyway, Highland Park, looking forward to seeing you at the Ravinia Candy Stroll!
Anyway, Highland Park, looking forward to seeing you at the Ravinia Candy Stroll!
Ya know... Every time I am forced to interact with an evil corporation (and that's all of them), I get why clients get all giddy they can just text me and I'll answer. I don't think any corp believes in customer service anymore. 90% of my stress is just due to enshittification, it's so exhausting.
September 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Ya know... Every time I am forced to interact with an evil corporation (and that's all of them), I get why clients get all giddy they can just text me and I'll answer. I don't think any corp believes in customer service anymore. 90% of my stress is just due to enshittification, it's so exhausting.